With Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the New York Islanders
in the books, that means 25 percent of the Detroit Red Wings' season is also
history.

So how are they doing so far?

With a 9-5-7 record, the Red Wings are holding
down a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – although that doesn't mean a
whole lot with more than four months remaining in the season.

The Red Wings are tied for fourth place in the East, three
points behind Tampa Bay, two back of Boston and one behind Pittsburgh. (Let's not get into tiebreakers, OK? They're for the end of the season, not November.)

The Red Wings also lead the NHL with seven overtime/shootout losses.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Think about it for a minute before you answer – on one hand,
the Red Wings aren't losing in regulation and are giving themselves a chance to
win in OT. Then again, they're not winning regularly in regulation and aren't
doing it in OT or a shootout either.

With a 6-3-1 road record, they lead the Eastern Conference
with 13 points away from home.

And what about the players individually?

Who has played well as the Red Wings reach the quarter pole
and who needs to pick up their game as the Red Wings head toward the New Year
and the second half of the campaign?

Let's not forget the coaching staff or front office, either, since
everybody likes to give their opinion on the lineup or roster.

With all that to digest, what are your thoughts on the Red
Wings as they pass the quarter mark?